The head of Turkey's main opposition party has declared that protests across the nation will continue "in every city" until either early presidential elections are organized or the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, is freed. Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), announced plans for a major demonstration this Saturday in Istanbul, marking the starting point of the party's campaign to position Imamoglu as the country’s next president in the upcoming 2028 elections.
"In every city we go to, we will have the biggest rallies in their history," Ozel proclaimed. He expressed confidence that public support for Imamoglu and democracy would amplify the size and impact of the protests. The demonstrations have rapidly gathered momentum following Imamoglu's arrest last week, bringing some of the largest crowds seen in Turkey in over ten years. In tandem with these protests, over 1,400 arrests have been recorded, including several journalists covering the unrest.
Amid these events, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has decried the demonstrations as "street terrorism" and accused protesters of violence against law enforcement and vandalism. He dismissed the opposition's movement as a temporary spectacle. Ozel recently visited Imamoglu at Silivri Prison, where he is currently being held in solitary confinement. He reported that Imamoglu was "in good condition" despite the circumstances and asserted that the corruption charges against him were unfounded.
Ozel clarified that Imamoglu is accused of various serious crimes, including establishing a criminal organization and bribery, yet he maintains that the legitimate political discourse has been upended by the administration's actions against him. According to Ozel, the mayor's imprisonment appears to be a strategic move to obstruct his potential presidential candidacy, especially considering public opinion polls indicate his viability as a contender.
Frustration over international inaction has emerged within the CHP, particularly directed at the UK Labour Party and its leader, Keir Starmer. Ozel articulated his disappointment, noting that while other European leaders have voiced concerns, they expect the Labour party, seen as a bastion of democracy, to show solidarity. Starmer's office has maintained that the situation is tied to ongoing legal processes in Turkey, urging adherence to the rule of law.
The CHP remains resolute in its fight for the presidency, asserting that should Imamoglu remain incarcerated, the party could still rally around another candidate with overwhelming public support. "If they keep Ekrem Imamoglu locked up and hinder his candidacy," Ozel mentioned, “any member of CHP can be a candidate and would be elected with 65% to 70%.”
